Taking charge of change will be the focus of the 2018 Farm Futures Business Summit on Jan. 18-19 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel near Iowa City, Iowa.

Over two intense yet entertaining days, keynotes, panel discussions and interactive power sessions will make your business life easier and your wallet happier. In fact, we’re getting into the holiday mood here with an early bird discount through Dec. 15.

Here are a few of the speakers and presentations you don’t want to miss:

Secrets in the numbers: benchmarking and profitable farming – LattaHarris CPAs Bob Krogmeier and Mark Penningroth work with farmer clients and crunch the numbers to reveal real-world cost benchmarks for profitability. They will analyze the data and discuss who succeeds in farming, and why. What can these benchmarks tell you about making a profit in 2018?

Farm succession planning — up close and personal -- Financial consultant and rancher Dick Wittman has helped countless farm families pass the farm to the next generation. Now, in a never-before-seen presentation, he will discuss the challenges of implementing his own advice to transition his Idaho ranch operation. Here’s a case study that will inspire and enlighten.

Tactics for tight margins: Are you ready for 2018? After four years of shrinking profits, farmers must continue to analyze costs and revenue. University of Minnesota ag economist Robert Craven’s session will help you focus on how to improve margins and profits.

The inside scoop on trade, policy and the next farm bill -- Want to find out how Capitol Hill will impact your business in 2018? Get the scoop from Roger Bernard, ag policy analyst with Informa (Farm Futures’ parent company). Bernard will share insights on ag trade, energy, farm policy and the farm bill.

What’s driving agriculture in the year ahead? Get ready to laugh and learn as keynote speaker “Market to Market” host Mike Pearson takes you on an entertaining journey, including an outlook for farm markets and global trends. 

Seeing red: How China influences your grain, livestock prices -- With 62% of U.S. exported soybean going to China, its importance to U.S. agriculture cannot be overstated. Wendong Zhang, ag economics professor and Extension specialist at Iowa State University, will help you understand what is really going on in the Chinese ag economy and the implications for America’s crop and livestock industry.

Global grain markets: Turning a corner, or duck and cover? --Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures’ senior grain market analyst and a leading authority on grain markets, will offer his insights on where markets are headed. He will discuss areas to watch for potential game-changing developments. Knorr’s presentation is brought to you by Farmers Mutual Hail.

Is your farm financially healthy? -- With tight margin pressure, farmers must use financial indicators to keep their business going in the right direction. University of Illinois ag economist Paul Stoddard has 30-some years of wisdom helping farmers in everything from marketing to management to finance.

Collaborate to maximize profits -- Should you go it alone, or farm with others? Iowa farmer and management consultant Chris Barron shares the economic and quality-of-life advantages for multi-generation farms working together with other producers. Learn about expansion opportunities for younger producers, time management, tax advantages, and equipment costs and efficiencies.

Young farmer panel discussion: How to grow into management -- Young farmers face greater pressures as they work to improve management as operations grow larger. Illinois young farmer and Farm Futures blogger Maria Cox will moderate this session showcasing tips for young farmers as they climb the management ladder.

How financial stress impacts your business in 2018 -- Four years into a downward slide in ag commodity prices, and no relief in sight. How will the ongoing financial stress impact your farm and what can you, as a borrower, do to insulate your operation? Farmer Mac senior vice president Curt Covington leads a panel discussion as leading ag bankers share how the ongoing pressure might impact your farm in 2018.

Risk management with Matt Bennett -- A farmer and grain marketing consultant from Windsor, Ill., Matt grew up in the grain business. His family both farmed and owned a grain elevator, giving him a unique perspective on the markets. Matt shares his philosophy for risk management, his decision-making process and takes questions from the audience on his outlook. This session is brought to you by Channel Seed.

Register by Dec.15 for the early-bird discount. Visit farmfuturessummit.com.

The summit is sponsored by Farmers Business Network, Channel Seed, Farmers Mutual Hail, John Deere, Farmer Mac, PNC Bank, International Agribusiness Group, and FBS Systems.